Control process for the automatic closing of a convertible top of a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

Control process for the automatic closing of a convertible top of a motor vehicle. Control process for the automatic closing of a convertible top of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle furthermore has moveable front side window panes and rear side window panes. Prior to the closing of the top, at least the rear side window panes are moved into a position that is characterized by a predefinable aperture between the edge of the respective side window pane and the closed top.

[0001] The invention concerns a control process for the automatic closing of a convertible top of a motor vehicle.

[0002] A process for the adjustment of a window of a motor vehicle with anti-trap protection, particularly the window of a coupe or a convertible, is known from DE 100 02 466. There is a shearing aperture in a partially opened position of the window between a lateral window edge and an associated window edge of another window or a body part that is closed during the closing of the window by a displacing the window pane vertically and horizontally. In order to prevent trapping in the shearing aperture, the window is initially moved only vertically and subsequently, during the last phase of the closing movement only, an essentially horizontal displacement or a rotational motion of the window pane around the lateral axis takes place. However, this process requires a high outlay for the detection of a trapping incident within the shearing aperture and is very expensive for a simple automatic closing mechanism for a convertible top.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a control process for the closing of a top of a convertible motor vehicle or the like, that allows a closing of the top and the side windows of the motor vehicle with increased protection against body parts of passengers becoming inadvertently caught without necessitating anti-trap detecting devices.

[0004] This object is achieved by the control process with the characteristics of patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the invention are provided in the dependent claims.

[0005] Accordingly, a control process serves for the automatic closing of a convertible top of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle furthermore has moveable front side window panes and rear window panes. Before the top is closed, at least the rear window panes are moved into a position characterized by a preset aperture between the edge of the relevant rear window pane and the closed top. The position is particularly defined by a preset positioning range that is determined depending on the precision of the positioning of the side window.

[0006] The width of the aperture is preset in such a manner that the danger of fatal injuries for a passenger can be excluded. Therefore, the aperture is just wide enough that no wrist arteries nor the head nor neck can be injured. The risk of injury to fingers or the like is significantly reduced. In principle, a risk of becoming caught between the front and the rear windows does exist. Critical, however, is the risk of becoming caught, in particular, between the already closed, tensioned top and the upper edges of the side windows during the subsequent lifting of the side window panes. The minimal width of the aperture is designed such that the closing of the top is possible after moving the rear side window panes into position. Consequently, the width of the aperture allows for easy closing of the top without the rear side window panes needing to be completely pressed into the gaskets arranged on the top.

[0007] Advantageously, the width of the aperture is preset depending on the thickness of body parts that may become caught between one edge of the window panes and the top, in that the width of the aperture does not exceed 20 mm. Preferably, the maximum width of the aperture is less than 12 mm, which, according to regulations, allows for a closing of this window pane without a protective anti-trap device.

[0008] To set the window pane position to the position characterized by the aperture, in a first step, an advantageous further development of the invention determines the actual window pane position.

[0009] Thereafter, the actual window pane position is compared with the stored, calculated nominal position for the release of the close command of the top. To move the pane, the displacement of the pane is then controlled using this comparison to the extent that the window position and the nominal position essentially match.

[0010] For the desired tolerance of this position, i.e., the tolerance of the aperture between the edge of the side pane and the top, corresponding devices and controls are used to move the side panes. For instance, a position switch or a path-sensor is used if a precise positioning of the side window pane is desired. These devices are particularly used for the positioning along a major adjusting path of several centimeters or decimeters. Alternatively, for a short adjustment path of a few millimeters, e.g., 20 mm, a time control device is used in the displacing of the side window pane.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the rear window panes are lowered for displacement to the roof closing position before the top is closed. This is particularly advantageous if, with an open top, the side window panes are adjusted to their topmost position. The lowering of the side window panes takes place by the maximum of the width of the aperture until it reaches the preset position. A precise, low-tolerance displacement of the side window pane can be achieved over this short adjustment path by means of the time control device. In addition, in this opening motion of the side window pane, trapping is impossible.

[0012] In order to make use of a reference position for the precise positioning of the side window pane, first, the rear window panes are moved into the upper stop position as a reference position. Then, the side window panes are positioned by lowering them for a defined time interval.

[0013] The risk of trapping body parts within the shearing aperture can reduced in an advantageous further development of the invention, in that the front side window panes are lowered into a low opening position prior to the closing of the top and prior to the moving of the rear side window panes. The low opening position prevents shearing forces by as short or as large a shearing aperture as possible. Preferably, the front side window panes are moved against the lower stop as their lowest opening position.

[0014] Since, as a rule, shearing forces occur, when the shearing aperture is closed by the upward displacement of the rear window pane, in an advantageous further development of the invention, the front window panes are lowered into the low opening position only when the rear side window panes are displaced upwards into position or into the upper stop position. If all the side windows panes are in the lowest opening position prior to closing the top, the rear window panes are moved into the preset position first. Then, the top is closed by means of a motor. Subsequent to or simultaneously with the closing of the top, the front side window panes are displaced upwards. After the top is closed, the front and rear side window panes are displaced beyond the preset position into the respective gasket mounted to the top.

[0015] If the front window panes are not equipped with an anti-trap device as well, an advantageous variant of the invention provides that prior to the closing of the top, the front side window panes, in addition to the rear side window panes, are also moved into the position with a preferred aperture width of 12 mm.

[0016] Alternatively, in a further variant of the invention, after the closing of the top, at least the front side window panes are closed. Subsequently, in particular after the closing of the top, an anti-trap device is activated for the closing of the front side window panes.

[0017] The invention is explained in detail in the following with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings.

[0018] The Drawings Depict:

[0019]FIG. 1a: a schematic view of a convertible top and a partially opened front window pane and one rear side window pane of a convertible motor vehicle,

[0020]FIG. 1b: a schematic view of a top and the front side window pane and the rear window pane in a preset position for the closing of the top of a convertible motor vehicle,

[0021]FIG. 2a: a flow chart for the process for the opening of the roof of the motor vehicle, and

[0022]FIG. 2b: a flow chart for the process for the closing of the roof of the motor vehicle.

[0023]FIG. 1a depicts a section of a schematic depiction of a convertible motor vehicle. Depicted is the roof 1 or top 1 on which a gasket 11 is arranged. The gasket has a sealing effect together with the edges 21 and 31 of the front side window pane 2 and the rear side window pane 3 (the rear window 3) when, in closed position, they are inserted into the gasket 11 (not shown in FIG. 1). FIG. 1a depicts the side window panes 2 and 3 in a low opening position thus creating a broad opening 12, 13, respectively, between the edges 21 and 31 and the gasket 11 of the top 1.

[0024] The side window panes are, for example, moved into the position depicted when the top is to be opened. In a following opening process step, the top 1 is automatically moved back without gasket 11, and the edges 21 and 31 of the side window panes 2 and 3 having to be separated by additional force. In this opening position, a shearing aperture 23 is formed between the front side window pane 2 and the rear window 3 whereby during the upward displacement of the side window pane 3, a body part of a passenger could become trapped between the window gasket 32 mounted to the rear window 3 and the front side window pane 2. During this displacement motion, the rear window 3 not only makes linear but also pivotal movements around the pivot point 4.

[0025]FIG. 1b depicts the situation shortly before the completion of the closing process of the top 1. The front side window pane 2 is in the position y and the rear window 3 in the position x that are preset for the closing of the top 1, whereby the panes 2 and 3 have been previously moved into the positions x and y. Between the window edge 31 of the rear window 3 and the gasket 11 of the top 1, an aperture 5 has remained. This aperture 5 allows the closing of the top 1, whereby the top 1 is depicted in FIG. 1b already in its closed position. On the other hand, the aperture 5 is appropriately small such that the insertion of body parts, in particular of fingers of passengers into this aperture 5 is impeded.

[0026] If, for example, the top 1 should be closed prior to approaching rain, the window panes 2 and 3 are first displaced into one or several positions to the extent that the window panes 2, 3 do not hinder the closing of the top 1 Such a closing process is depicted schematically in FIG. 2b in the form of a flow chart. Based of the relatively large lever arms of the closing mechanism of the top 1 it is, for example, problematic to close the top 1 and to simultaneously move window panes 2 and 3 into the gasket 11 arranged on the top 1. However, in order to still minimize the risk of trapping body parts, the following process depicted in FIG. 2b example of the invention is advantageously used.

[0027] In a first step 1, a command for closing the roof 1 or the top 1 is generated. For this, for example, a switch or a remote control is activated or a rain detector detects falling rain.

[0028] In step 2, a determination is made as to whether the rear side window pane 3 is in the x-position or below the x-position. The x-position corresponds to the previously explained position x of the rear window 3 which reduces the risk of entrapping body parts and simultaneously allows for the closing of the top 1. If, by chance, the rear window 3 is in the range of position x, process step 5 follows; otherwise, step 3 checks whether the rear window 3 is located above the x-position. In this case, the rear window 3 is lowered into the x-position in step 4.

[0029] In the following step 5, the position of the front side window pane 2 is determined and compared to the y-position. If the front side window pane 2 is in the y-position or below the y-position, the roof 1 is subsequently closed in step 7. Otherwise, the front side window pane is moved into the y-position in step 6 and, again, subsequently, the roof 3 is closed in step 7.

[0030] If, in step 3, the rear window 3 is below the x-position, it is necessary to move the rear window 3 up into the x-position. For this, the driver side window pane 2 or the front window pane 2 is completely opened in step 8, until it reaches the lower stop. Since now a trapping of body parts in the shearing aperture is no longer possible, the rear window 3 is subsequently moved into the x-position in step 9 and, then, the roof 1 closed in step 7.

[0031] In step 10, the rear window 3 is completely closed without the of risk of any trapping of body parts and, subsequently, the front window pane 2 (driver side) is closed in step 11. Any trapping during the closing of the front window pane 2 is detected by an anti-trapping algorithm and in the event of a detected trapping, the moving window is stopped or reversed such that the trapped passenger is not injured.

[0032] The previously presented exemplary embodiment has the advantage that no anti-trap device is required for the rear side window panes 3 (the rear pane 3) and that, nevertheless, the roof 1 can be closed automatically without any risk of trapping without having to first close the side window panes 2 and 3 manually.

[0033] In addition, FIG. 2a schematically depicts a process for the opening of a top 3 [sic]. In a first step 1, a command for opening the roof 1 or the top 1 is generated. For this, e.g., a switch or a remote device is activated. The stored old-position AP1 and AP2 are deleted or overwritten.

[0034] In step 2, the position of the rear window 3 is determined. If the rear window 3 is in the a-position or below the a-position, the position of the driver side window pane 2 is then checked in step 3. If the driver side window pane 2 is in the b-position or below the b-position, the roof 1 is then automatically opened in step 4.

[0035] If the driver side window pane 2 is above the b-position according to step 3, in step 5 the old driver side window pane 2 position AP2 is stored in order to automatically move to it subsequently or during a future opening of the roof 1. Subsequently, the driver side window pane 2 is moved into the b-position and, then, the roof 1 is again opened in step 4.

[0036] If the rear window 3 is above the a-position in step 2, the rear window position AP1 is stored in step 7 prior to the displacing of rear window 3 of step 10. Likewise, the driver side window pane 2 position AP2 is stored. In step 9, the driver side window pane 2 is subsequently completely opened in order to prevent trapping of body parts in the shearing aperture 23 during the upward displacement (step 11) of the rear window 3. Subsequent to or simultaneously with step 9, the rear window 3 is adjusted to the a-position and the top 1 is again opened in step 4.

[0037] Subsequently, in steps 10 to 13, the window panes are moved back to their previous positions AP1 and AP2 if those differ from the a-position or from the b-position.

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

[0038] x, y, a, b, AP1, AP2 positions of the side window panes

[0039] 1 convertible top, roof

[0040] 11 gasket

[0041] 12, 13 opening widths

[0042] 2 front side window pane, drive side window pane

[0043] 3 rear side window pane, rear window

[0044] 21, 31 window edges

[0045] 23 shearing aperture

[0046] 4 pivotal axis

[0047] 5 aperture 

1. Control process for the automatic closing of a top of a motor vehicle, whereby the motor vehicle has moveable front side window panes and rear side window panes, characterized in that, prior to the closing of the top, the rear side window panes are moved into a position that is characterized by a predefinable aperture between the edge of the respective side window pane and the closed top.
 2. Control process according to claim 1, characterized in that prior to closing, the current window pane position is compared with the nominal position for the release of the closing command for the top and that, for the process, the movement of the window pane is controlled based on this comparison.
 3. Control process according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that prior to the closing of the top, at least the rear side window panes are lowered to the position for the process.
 4. Control process according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear side window panes are first moved into the upper stop position and, then, lowered to the position.
 5. Control process according to one of the claims 1 through 4, characterized in that prior to the closing of the top and prior to the displacement of the rear side window panes, the front side window panes are lowered into a low opening position.
 6. Control process according to claim 3, characterized in that the front side window panes are lowered into the low opening position only if the rear side window panes are displaced upwards into the position characterized by the aperture or into the upper stop position.
 7. Control process according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of the aperture does not exceed 20 mm.
 8. Control process according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, prior to the closing of the top, that, in addition to the rear side window panes, the front window panes are displaced into the position as well.
 9. Control process according to one of claims 1 through 7, characterized in that after the closing of the top, at least the front side window panes are closed, and that for the closing of the front side window panes an anti-trap device is activated. 